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What is Kayak Polo? |
| The following is excerpted
from Wikipedia. To see the balance of the entry click here |
The Game |
| The game, known as Kayak
Polo or Canoe Polo, is played in many countries on all continents, for
recreation and serious sport. The sport has World Championships every 2
years. Internationally the sport is organised by the Canoe Polo
committee of the International Canoe Federation, as one of the
disciplines of the sport of canoeing. In 2005 Canoe Polo was contested
at the World Games in Duisburg Germany under the patronage of the
International Olympic Committee. The game is often described as a combination of water polo, basketball and kayaking. The tactics and playing of the game are not unlike basketball or water polo but with the added complexity of the boats, which can be used to shield the ball. |
The Rules |
| The ball, a waterpolo
ball, is passed from hand to hand among the players, with some use of
the paddle on the ball also allowed. A player in possession can be
tackled by being pushed over on the shoulder or back, players may only
have the ball in their possession for a maximum of five seconds.
Players can 'dribble' the ball by throwing it one meter or more, ahead
of themselves or sideways into the water. Most of the rules concern the
safety of the players involved.For example illeagal substitution and
entry into the playing area (see below),illeagal use of the
paddle,illeagal action against a capsized player,illeagal jostle and
illeagal screening. Penalties include goal- and sideline throws, free
shots, goal penalty shots, and penalty cards. Substitutions can be made at any time during the game without notifying the referee, the player has to cross the back line before another player can come on. If these rules are not followed a player is nominated by the captain of the offending team to be removed from play (sent off). |
The Pitch |
| Canoe polo is played either indoors in swimming pools or outdoors on a pitch which should measure 35 metres by 23 metres. The edges of the pitch are marked by the sides of the pool, or better, by floating ropes (similar to lane markers in swimming). |
Referees |
| There are two referees (one on each side-line) and they are on foot rather than in boats. The score is kept by the scorekeeper and the timekeeper monitors the playing time and sending-off times. The goal lines are monitored by 2 line judges. Before play commences scrutineers check all kit for compliance with regulations |
Goals |
| The goals (measuring 1 by 1.5 metres) are a frame with a net, suspended 2 metres above the water. A player, acting as goalie, defends the goal with their paddle by sticking it up vertically, special rules concern the goalie, such as: the attacking team not being able to interfere with or jostle them. The length of the paddles used by the goalies are often longer than those used by other players. |
Timing |
| The game is officially played as a 20 minute game consisting of two 10 minute halves. The teams swap ends at half-time. Each half begins with a "sprint" where each team lines up against its goal-line and the ball is thrown into the middle of the pitch by the referee. One player from each team sprints to win possession of the ball. |
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